Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 69: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the uptake of the work placement programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29921/09]

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 70: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the uptake of the short time working programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29922/09]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 69 and 70 together.

My Department, along with the Department of Social and Family Affairs and the Department of Education and Science, have been working closely together to ensure a significant response to the unemployment situation. The Work Placement Programme and the Short Time Working Training Programme, which were announced in the supplementary budget, are but two initiatives that have been created to contribute to the challenge of activating and training the unemployed. It should be noted that these programmes form only an element of the Government's response to the unemployment challenge, which also includes a substantial increase in job search, training and education supports.

The Work Placement Programme has been created to provide 2,000 six-month work experience places for graduates and other individuals. The aim of this scheme is to provide invaluable work experience to individuals who are unemployed, who have recently graduated from college or have very limited experience of the workplace.

To date the number of individuals who have expressed an interest with FÁS in the Programme and who meet the eligible criteria stands at 192. In terms of places, FÁS has received 180 inquiries to date from potential providers, which has resulted in 155 actual places being offered by providers. Considering that FÁS is in the process of finalising its targeted publicity campaign of the Programme, it is encouraging that it is experiencing a considerable level of interest from individuals and providers in the Programme.

The Short Time Training Programme will provide training and income support to 277 workers currently on systematic short time working. Under this programme workers who are on a three-day week and receiving social welfare payments for the days they are not working will receive two days training a week for a period of 52 weeks.

FÁS is in the process of allocating the places on this programme across a number of regions using either its Employment Services offices or its Local Services to Business Unit. To date 124 places have been allocated across two FÁS Regions. FÁS is continuing to explore a number of other possible inquiries from other FÁS regions in relation to the allocation of the remaining places. It is intended that these places will be allocated in the coming weeks.